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Lafayette council weighs options to preserve deteriorating Coca-Cola mural sign
Summary
Council heard residents and property owner argue for restoration of a deteriorating Coca-Cola mural sign and directed staff to return with a work plan, firm cost estimates and funding options after reviewing a 2024 condition assessment that put restoration costs in the five-figure range.
Lafayette —— Lafayette City Council heard lengthy public comment and a staff presentation Tuesday on a deteriorating Coca-Cola mural sign, then directed staff to develop a work plan and funding options to preserve the artifact.
Bridget Keating, the city's economic development director and executive director of Laura, told the council a 2024 conditions assessment by John Canning & Co. found "significant deterioration" of the mural's paint layers and wood substrate, with paint flaking, cracking wood and strong sun exposure accelerating failure. Keating said the assessment presented several approaches, with ballpark restoration costs up to about $100,000, removal and trucking around $15,000 and replica options in the $60,000 range.
Why it matters: The mural is a locally recognized downtown landmark tied to Lafayette's commercial history and, community members say, to the legacy of local figures such as Pat Wright. Residents and the building owner told council they want the sign preserved and publicly accessible; several speakers said past promises to maintain the sign were not fulfilled and urged the city to prioritize stewardship.
Community members called for restoration and for competitive procurement. Doug Connerow urged the council to seek competitive bids and criticized a previously cited out-of-state single-source quote, saying the packet showed "we get a Sky High quote of $90,000 to $100,000 from a Connecticut company." Vicki (last name given in the packet) said the community raised $126,000 for the 2016 restoration and argued, "the bottom line is this sign finally needs to be properly cared for."
The building owner, Rick Ross, who owns 103 North Public Road where the mural is mounted, told council he would consider taking ownership of the sign if the city helped pay to restore it. Keating said staff had received that expression of interest during the RFP period.
Council members asked detailed questions about legal obligations, maintenance responsibilities under the easement, and logistical and cost estimates for removal and storage. Keating read the easement language aloud, stating that Laura (the urban renewal entity) "retains the sole right and obligation to maintain the mural and to enter onto the property to do so." Several councilors asked staff to confirm what that maintenance obligation covers.
No final decision was made. Instead, council members asked staff to return with a timeline and work plan that includes: firm bids for removal and restoration, further input from the Historic Preservation Commission and Lafayette Historical Society, exploration of landmarking (including possible amendment of the local ordinance), options for a replica or rotating mural to preserve the site's place-making function, and discussions with Laura, the DDA and the building owner about funding and long-term stewardship. Keating said staff would develop that work plan and timeline.
The most recent factual development: staff will prepare a work plan and firm cost estimates and return to council for direction and potential action.
